"My name is Sharon. I have been employed by Energy Action since November 1995. When I started in Energy Action I was on a C.E. scheme and I was trained as an installer in draughtproofing. After six weeks I did an Energy Awareness course which I passed. This was the first exam I ever passed as I left school at 14 years of age. When I passed Energy Awareness it gave more confidence in myself. I was also trained in attic insulation and surveying for draughtproofing.

I have been working on Job Initiative for two years. During this time I have trained as an N.V.Q. Assessor and I am the only female assessor in the Republic of Ireland and this has been a great achievement for me as I had a literacy problem. Energy Action gave me great support during my training.

In 2001 I finished successfully NVCA in Communication. At present I am on the Intensive Computer Training. These together with previous training has given me a self awareness and confidence.

My duties in Energy Action include assessing and guiding candidates through the N.V.Q. system so that they achieve their City & Guilds certification in draughtproofing and attic insulation and I give presentations on the N.V.Q. I carry out this work within Energy Action and also in outside projects both in the Dublin area and throughout the country."

My Time With Energy Action
by Alice O'Connor

I am a single parent with two children. I left school at the age of twelve so I haven't a lot of education behind me, I can read and write but that's about it.

I started in Energy Action back in 1995 and previous to that I was busy bringing up my two children.

I was trained to draught-proof doors and windows and after a week's training I went out on the road with my new skills to start work. Well that was the start of it for me. First of all I got a cert for draught-proofing, then for surveying and also energy awareness. I then progressed to training other people in how to draught-proof. ie in Energy Action, Donegal, Waterford, Roscommon, and Cavan.

One day at lunch time in the office I was at the computer playing solitaire with Jimmy and we got talking. I said I would love to use the computer but did not know how to, so out of my own time development money I took up basic computer classes in the evening. From there I went on to do advanced classes with Andrew Madden my tutor and then progressed in getting my cert in the E.C.D.L. Only last week I got another cert in N.V.C.A. in communication.

Next week in the literacy class we are starting numeracy, so hopefully at the end of it I will get another cert.

I think in the years I have been with Energy Action I have achieved a great deal in everything I did and was taught to do, especially in my confidence.

UPDATE: Alice is now an Assistant Supervisor within Energy Action.

Another story
by Sonia Humphrey

Hi, My name is Sonia. I am 34 yrs old. I left school in England at the age of 15 to live with my father in Ireland. I was entered for the highest levels in exams at the time but never pursued them (my biggest mistake).

I started work at 16 in the local community centre that also enrolled me into Art College, but a few weeks into the course I found out I was expecting my first child. I had another child then left to live back in England.

Over the years came another three children, the last being twins. I could only work as a full time mother, I thought that was to be my life. Until, when the twins were two yrs of age we returned to Ireland. I heard about FAS Employment Schemes & was very interested but the requirements were you had to be on benefits for twelve months or more. So I waited a year & applied to Energy Action (heard of through a neighbour of mine), for a job as a draughtproof installer. I was delighted with the job & the satisfaction of the clients was unbelievable, they were so grateful. It made me feel the job was so important not only to me but to the clients too.

Through my first year I completed my ECDL with the help of my tutor Andrew Madden & during the first half of my second year I completed an Energy Awareness course with the help of Don Scannell as my tutor. I then left the crew & trained as an NVQ assessor, training other installers at the same time. That alone gave me a lot more confidence in myself, to be able to show others to join the crew. Unfortunately I had to leave and take a years break, but Energy Action took me back again as a Clerical Assistant, until the job I was awaiting finally came my way. I am currently in Accounts/Finance & have applied to Pearse College for my leaving Cert in Maths & English hopefully to commence in September, with a long-term view of a career in Accountancy. If it weren't for the help of FAS & Energy Action having the confidence in me I wouldn't be where I am now.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved for everything they have done & for giving me the confidence to better myself. I intend to carry on with Accounts/Finance & appreciate all that Energy Action has done for me.